ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Approval accorded for procurement of 13.77 LMT of Pulses and Oilseeds for KMS 2020-21 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Haryana
5637 MT Paddy at MSP of Rs 1868 per quintal has been procured from farmers of Haryana and Punjab till 27th September; Procurement of paddy for the remaining States commences from today
Procurement of Cotton for the season 2020-21 to commence from 1st October 2020
The arrival of Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has just begun and the Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes as done in previous seasons.
Based on the proposal from the States, approvalhas been accorded for procurement of 13.77 LMT of Pulse and oilseeds for KMS 2020-21for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Haryana. For the other States/UT, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposal for Kharif Pulses and oilseeds and procurement will be made as per Price Support Scheme, if the market rates goes below its MSP.
Upto 24.09.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 34.20 MT of Moong having MSP value of Rs.25 lakhs benefitting 40 farmers in Tamil Nadu. Similarly, 5089 MT of copra having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu against the sanctioned quantity of 95.75 LMT for the Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The procurement of Paddy during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has just started from 26th September, 2020 andupto 27.09.2020, 5637 MT having MSP value of Rs. 10.53 crore at MSP of Rs 1868 per quintal has been procured from 390 farmersof Haryana and Punjab.The procurement of paddy for the remaining States will commence from 28.09.2020.
The procurement of Cotton for the season 2020-21 shall commence from 1st October 2020 and Cotton Corporation of India  will start purchase of FAQ grade Cotton from 1st October 2020 onwards.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 169.19 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 12.02 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,69,19,79,990
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
12,02,87,191
More than 169.19 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 12.02 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Prime Minister's Office
PM recalls heroic courage of all those who took part in Assam Movement on Swahid Diwas
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has recalled the heroic courage of all those who took part in the Assam Movement on Swahid Diwas.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"The Assam Movement has a special place in our history. Today, on Swahid Diwas, I recall the heroic courage of all those who took part in this movement. We will never forget their contribution to preserve Assam’s unique culture."
Ministry of Science & Technology
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, the number of Full Time Equivalent  Researchers per million people has increased to 255 in 2017 from 110 in 2000.
Says, utilization of funds by DST, DBT and DSIR during the last three years comes to nearly 98 to 99%.
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the number of research scientists per million people in India follows an increasing trend. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, he said, as per the latest R&D statistics, the number of Full Time Equivalent  Researchers per million people has increased to 255 in 2017 from 218 in 2015 and 110 in 2000. The latest figure on total number of researchers in the country comes to 3.42 lakh.
The funds allocated for R&D in the field of science are being fully utilised. As per the data, utilization of funds allocated in respect of Departments under Ministry of Science and Technology viz., Department of Science & Technology , Department of Bio-technology  and Department of Scientific & Industrial Research  during the last three years comes to nearly 98 to 99%. Details of the same are provided in the Annexure.
Fund allocation and utilization by the Departments under the Ministry of Science and Technology

|
|
Departments
|
|
Funds Allocated 
|
|
Funds Utilized
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
DST
|
|
5114.79
|
|
5480.93
|
|
5000.00
|
|
4912.54

|
|
5407.03

|
|
4913.33

|
|
DSIR
including
CSIR
|
|
4572.84
|
|
4883.24
|
|
4251.86
|
|
4548.78

|
|
4871.63

|
|
4244.88

|
|
DBT
|
|
2411.53
|
|
2381.10
|
|
2300.00
|
|
2379.10

|
|
2358.77

|
|
2259.72

|
|
Total
|
|
12099.16
|
|
12745.27
|
|
11551.86
|
|
11840.42

|
|
12637.43

|
|
11417.93

Source: Demand for Grants of Central Government, Expenditure Budget, GoI 
Note: 1. DST- Department of Science and Technology
2. DSIR/CSIR- Department of Scientific & Industrial
Research/Council of Scientific Research
3. DBT- Department of Bio-Technology
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SNC/TM/RR
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Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah greeted Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on inaugurating the Amrit Mahotsav dedicated to the 75th Anniversary of Independence
"Gandhiji's 1930 'Dandi Yatra' gave a boost to the Freedom Struggle, and today the 2021 march under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi shall energize the resolve of a Self-Reliant India"
"The fulfillment of the resolve for Atmanirbhar Bharat is contained in Gandhiji's Swadeshi campaign and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's Vocal for Local"
"Modi ji has repeatedly said that the future belongs to India, but this is possible only when we work towards a self-reliant India while discharging our duties"
"I believe that indigenous products, especially Khadi, play an important role in keeping us connected with our culture, values and roots"
"On the inauguration of the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence by Shri Narendra Modi, let us all pledge to use ‘Made in India’ products and make the country self-sufficient in every field"
"On the call of Vocal for Local by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, I also bought an Angavastra and a diary from a nearby Khadi Bhandar"
"I appeal to citizens to be part of Shri Narendra Modi’s appeal and share the indigenous product purchased in your neighbourhood by participating in Vocal for Local"
The Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has greeted Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the inauguration of Amrit Mahotsav dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Independence. In a series of tweets, Shri Amit Shah said that "Gandhiji's 1930 ‘Dandi Yatra’ gave a boost to the freedom struggle, and today the 2021 march under under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi shall energize the resolve of a Self-Reliant India”.
The Union Home Minister said that “the fulfilment of the resolve of a self-reliant India was contained in Gandhiji's Swadeshi campaign and also in Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's Vocal for Local. Shri Narendra Modi has repeatedly said that the future belongs to India, but this is possible only when we work towards a self-reliant India while discharging our duties”.
Shri Amit Shah said, “I believe that indigenous products, especially Khadi, play an important role in keeping us connected with our culture, values and roots. On the inauguration of the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence by Shri Narendra Modi, let us all pledge to use ‘Made in India’ goods and make the country self-reliant in every field”.
The Union Home Minister also said, "On the call of Vocal for Local by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, I also bought an Angavastra and a diary from a nearby Khadi Bhandar. I appeal to citizens to be part of Shri Narendra Modi’s appeal and share the indigenous product purchased in your neighbourhood by participating in Vocal for Local”.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition of stake in IDFC Asset Management Company Limited and IDFC AMC Trustee Company Limited by Bandhan Financial Holdings Limited, ChrysCapital and GIC
The Competition Commission of India  approves acquisition of stake in IDFC Asset Management Company Limited and IDFC AMC Trustee Company Limited by Bandhan Financial Holdings Limited, ChrysCapital and GIC.
The proposed combination envisages acquisition of 99.96% stake in IDFC Asset Management Company Limited  and 100% stake in IDFC AMC Trustee Company Limited  by Bandhan Financial Holdings Limited , Lathe Investment Pte. Ltd. , Tangerine Investments Limited  and Infinity Partners .
BFHL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bandhan Financial Services Limited. BFHL is set up to act as the promoter of Bandhan Bank Limited and to hold the investment in Bandhan Bank as well as all other financial services entities of the group regulated by the Reserve Bank of India or other financial sector regulators.
Lathe is wholly-owned by GIC  Private Limited. Lathe is part of a group of investment holding companies managed by GIC Special Investments Private Limited.
CC Entity 1 is a subsidiary of ChrysCapital IX, LLC . CC IX is a private equity fund set up by the ChrysCapital group. CC Entity 2 is a partnership firm.
IDFC AMC is the asset management company to IDFC Mutual Fund . IDFC AMC also operates a portfolio management business and acts as an investment manager to IDFC India Equity Hedge Fund, a Category III Alternative Investment Fund. IDFC Trustee has been appointed as the trustee company of IDMF.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Activities/Events being organized in tribal areas by States during Poshan Maah reviewed by Secretary, MoTA
Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Shri Deepak Khandekar reviewed the activities and celebrations of Poshan Maah  being organized by various States/UTs in their tribal areas. 23 States/UTs participated in the review meeting organized through video conferencing at the Hqrs of Ministry of Tribal Affairs in New Delhi today. The weekly activities schedules and the action plans prepared by the State Tribal Departments for the month of September  were discussed in detail at today’s review meeting.
Addressing the participants, Secretary, MoTA expressed satisfaction at the events and activities being organized by the organizations/institutions of Ministry of Tribal Affairs at block, district and state levels. The Secretary urged the participants to organize gram sabhas in order to focus on the issue of nutrition at the grassroots level. The State Tribal departments should arrange activities on a convergence mode alongwith other participating stakeholders as well as organize special activities for tribals and tribal areas, the Secretary explained. He also instructed them to capture the activities properly by taking pictures, videos etc. and uploading them on a especially created dashboard on a daily basis. Shri Deepak Khandekar also asked the States to arrange media and publicity for the various events in order to bring into focus and lime light the special nutrition drive under poshan abhiyan in order to convert it into a Jan Andolan in the real sense.
Representatives of various States highlighted the activities being organized by them during the month of September including tribal food festival; promotion of drumsticks by plantation in EMRs, Ashram schools, Government schools in tribal areas; posters on hand washing; sensitization of ground level functionaries; and growth monitoring plus anemia mapping among tribal children. The States are also organizing essay and painting competitions, health check up camps, seminars for parents of children, cooking competition, special gram sabhas, nutrition training to cooks of tribal schools among others.
The month long National Nutrition Month is being observed across the country as a special drive under the Poshan Abhiyan Program. It is being steered by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in a convergence mode and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is an important partner catering to the requriements of tribal populations. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided and indicative schedule of activities to be organized by the States during the National Nutrition Month.
Ministry of Communications
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Cambodia on Cooperation in the field of Communications
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given ex post-facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Cambodia on Cooperation in the field of Communications. The MoU was signed in Cambodia in March, 2019.
Impact:
The MoU will contribute in strengthening bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding between India and Cambodia in the field of communications.
Special Service and Features
DRI Chennai seizes 35.6 Kgs of Foreign Origin Gold worth Rs.18.34 Crores smuggled through Tamil Nadu coast
In a recent massive anti-smuggling operation, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence , Chennai had seized 35.6 Kgs of Foreign Origin Gold worth Rs.18.34 Crores which was smuggled through Coastal Area of Tamil Nadu on 27.10.2022.
Based on intelligence developed by DRI, three persons travelling in a car were intercepted at a Toll Plaza located on Madurai-Ramanathapuram Highway. The smuggled gold packed and concealed in the car & in-person were recovered and seized.
Preliminary investigation revealed that gold was smuggled into India through Tamil Nadu Coast from Sri Lanka. Three persons had been arrested thus far and remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is going on.
DRI is the premier anti-smuggling agency of Govt of India. DRI, Chennai has been ever vigilant in curtailing the smuggling of contraband and due to the strict counter smuggling measures taken by them, they were successful in thwarting attempted smuggling of gold and had seized over 105 Kgs of foreign origin gold smuggled through the coast of Tamil Nadu since April 2022.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Kerela flights update from MOCA
In view of closure of Cochin airport and to ensure that passengers are not inconvenienced, DGCA has asked the scheduled domestic airlines to mount additional flights. Out of 71 arrivals and 74 departures of scheduled domestic airlines to/from Cochin, 23 arr and 24 dep have been rescheduled and additional 19 arr/dep have been mounted to/from Trivandrum, Calicut and Coimbatore airports. Nine foreign carriers operating to Cochin have also rescheduled their flights to/from Trivandrum.
Scheduled domestic airlines have also been advised to ensure that airfares for flights to/from Trivandrum and Calicut airports in Kerala and nearby airports i.e. Mangalore and Coimbatore are kept at optimal level proportionate to sector distance so that travelling public is not inconvenienced. Accordingly, airlines have been requested to cap the maximum fare around INR 10,000 on longer routes and around 8000 on shorter routes to/from Kerala and nearby airports.
In addition, DGCA is constantly monitoring airfares on 32 direct routes operating to/from Trivandrum, Calicut, Coimbatore and Mangalore. Spike in airfare on few routes have been observed. Concerned airlines have been advised to cap the airfare on these flights.
DGCA has also convened a meeting with higher management of domestic airlines today in this regard.
Control Room set up by DGCA is working 24x7. Passenger related issues pertaining to refund of air ticket, rescheduling of flight, alternate options available to them are being addressed.
RJ/SB
(Visitor Counter : 632
Prime Minister's Office
PM to launch Ujjwala 2.0 on 10th August
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will launch Ujjwala 2.0  by handing over LPG connections, at Mahoba Uttar Pradesh on 10th August, 2021 at 12:30 PM via video conferencing. During the event, the Prime Minister will interact with beneficiaries of the Ujjwala and will also address the nation.
The journey from Ujjwala 1.0 to Ujjwala 2.0
During Ujjwala 1.0 launched in 2016, a target was set to provide LPG connections to 5 crore women members of BPL households. Subsequently, the scheme was expanded in April 2018 to include women beneficiaries from seven more categories . Also, the target was revised to 8 Crore LPG connections. This target was achieved in August 2019, seven months ahead of the target date.
In the Union budget for FY 21-22, provision for an additional one crore LPG connection under the PMUY scheme was announced. These one crore additional PMUY connections  aim to provide deposit-free LPG connections to those low-income families who could not be covered under the earlier phase of PMUY.
Along with a deposit free LPG connection, Ujjwala 2.0 will provide first refill and hotplate free of cost to the beneficiaries. Also, the enrollment procedure will require minimum paperwork. In Ujjwala 2.0, migrants will not be required to submit ration cards or address proof. A self-declaration for both ‘family declaration’ and as a ‘proof of address’ will suffice. Ujjwala 2.0 will help achieve the Prime Minister’s vision of universal access to LPG.
Union Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh will also be present on the occasion.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways revises Passenger Reservation Form to extend the VIKALP option to passengers booking tickets through reservation windows
Also, mentioning Aadhar number is made optional for the passengers
Ministry of Railways has revised its passenger reservation form to benefit the passengers booking tickets through PRS Counters across the nation. Now, the VIKALP scheme option will also be available on booking made through reservation windows and not just through online bookings.
In the revised reservation form, passengers are given an option either to avail the option of VIKALP scheme or not to avail it, where they may give their preference by ticking the column Yes or No. If the option of VIKALP is availed by passengers, he/she would have to mark his/her choice of alternate train departing within 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours. Also, passenger is given an optional choice to mention their Aadhar number in the reservation form.
It is noteworthy that with a view to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilisation of available accommodation, a scheme called Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme – VIKALP had been conceptualised and was introduced w.e.f. 01.11.2015 initially only for the tickets booked through internet as a pilot project for six months, on Delhi-Lucknow and Delhi-Jammu sectors of Northern Railway. Later on this scheme was extended in all sectors across Indian Railways. In this scheme, wait listed passengers of a train can opt for confirmed accommodation in alternate trains.
Now, the benefit of Vikalp option has also been made available through PRS counters and not just online bookings.
Election Commission
Bye Elections to the Council of States from Uttar Pradesh
There are two casual vacancies in the Council of States from Uttar Pradesh occurred due to reasons as mentioned below:
|
|
S.No.
|
|
Name of Members
|
|
Reason
|
|
Date of vacancy
|
|
Term Up to
|
|
-
|
|
Sh. Surendra Singh Nagar
|
|
Resignation
|
|
02.08.2019
|
|
04.07.2022
|
|
-
|
|
Sh. Sanjay Seth
|
|
Resignation
|
|
05.08.2019
|
|
04.07.2022
The Commission has decided to hold bye-elections to the Council of States from Uttar Pradesh to fill up the above said vacancies in accordance with the following schedule for each of the vacancies -
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Sl.No.
|
|
Events
|
|
Dates and Days
|
|
1.
|
|
Issue of Notifications
|
|
05th September, 2019 
|
|
2.
|
|
Last Date of making nominations
|
|
12th September, 2019 
|
|
3.
|
|
Scrutiny of nominations
|
|
13th September, 2019 
|
|
4.
|
|
Last date for withdrawal of candidatures
|
|
16th September, 2019 
|
|
5.
|
|
Date of Poll
|
|
23rd September, 2019 
|
|
6.
|
|
Hours of Poll
|
|
9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
|
|
7.
|
|
Counting of Votes
|
|
23rd September, 2019  at 5.00 p.m.
|
|
8.
|
|
Date before which election shall be completed
|
|
25th September, 2019
Ministry of Defence
Defence Secretary & US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy co-chair 17th India-US Defence Policy Group meeting in Washington DC
Focus on enhancing defence industrial cooperation & co-production in India
Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Dr Colin Kahl co-chaired the 17th meeting of India-US Defence Policy Group  in Washington DC on May 17, 2023. The meeting was cordial and productive. The two sides reviewed the progress made in furthering defence industrial cooperation and operationalising the India-US Major Defence Partnership. Important aspects such as military-to-military cooperation, implementation of foundational defence agreements, exercises and the ongoing & future cooperative activities in the Indian Ocean Region were discussed.
Considerable focus was given on the ways and means to enhance defence industrial cooperation, including technology partnership, long-term research & development and improving supply chain security. The meeting also discussed promoting co-development and co-production in India including potential areas and projects where Indian and US defence companies could work together. They agreed to encourage both the private and government stakeholders to utilise the innovation ecosystems and promote defence start-ups.
The DPG is the apex official-level mechanism between Ministry of Defence, India and US Department of Defence. It comprehensively reviews and guides all aspects of bilateral defence cooperation with a focus on policy.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
194.59 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 32,498
Active cases stand at 0.08%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.71%
3,591 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to
4,26,40,301
7,240 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
85.38 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,40,615 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Rural Development
Shri Giriraj Singh takes over as Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj
Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste takes over as Minister of State in the Union Ministry of Rural Development
Shri Giriraj Singh has taken charge as the Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.
Informing about his assuming charge through a tweet, Shri Singh expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for entrusting him with the new responsibility and reposing confidence.
Shri Singh was welcomed in his room in the presence of Shri Narendra Singh Tomar and other dignitaries. Minister of State for Rural Development Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti was also present on this occasion.
During an interaction with the media, Mr. Singh said that he would continue to discharge his responsibilities with full commitment.
Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste has also taken over as the Minister of State for Rural Development.
On this occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Shri Nagendra Nath Sinha, Additional Secretary Ms. Alka Upadhyay and other senior officers of the Ministry were also present.